'No U.s. Colony,' 'U.s. Property'

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SENTINEL columnist Charley Reese's recent diatribe on Latin America reflects a pompous, myopic, superficial, capricious and arrogant posture at best. The invasion of Panama was simply an illegal act under international law.

Latin America is not a U.S. colony. Bananas do not exist simply because of the United Fruit Co., nor do the rich and proud legacies of the Incas, Aztecs and Mayas exist because of the United Fruit Co., as Reese seems to imply.

Oh, yes, the end justifies the means. One corrupt individual - Manuel Noriega - with whom the U.S. government connived for many years, appears to be worth so many lives, enormous economic losses and the condemnation of the world. Is the U.S. rationale ''who cares what others think'' or ''don't do what I do, do what I say''? Is this the best foreign policy?

If this rationale is an acceptable, legal and ''prudent'' policy, why doesn't the United States use it with the Mafia, the savings and loans associations and HUD, but primarily to save the hostages in Lebanon or to castigate the people responsible for hundreds of American lives lost because of corruption and/or incompetence?

Before criticizing other cultures, I suggest Reese find solutions for our own problems, which include poor education, the homeless, desperation and a crime level unequal in the history of man.

Please do not label us as some sort of leftist radicals because as liberals we want a humane and decent life for all people or because we despise potentates and imperious individuals.

God bless the United States of America and save us from sanctimonious columnists.